Casket-lowering device.



No. 851,861. I PATENTBD APR. 30, 1907.

A. W. BROWN, H. P. ERNST & W. O. GANOUTS.

CASKET LOWBRING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1907.

W/tnesses: 15 lm entbrgs v 4 M. w. W uv\o*;-, U 7110 0- w wm u m fmiyiim: NDRRIS PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, n. c

No. 851,861. BATENTED APR. 30, 1907. A. W. BROWN, H. P. ERNST & W. 0.CANOUTS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1907.

H V 1/ m Mm w m A. L. |l|1lilii m U T I 5 MW 7% .H m w l l 3. mm SS5. B.an m 0 J 3 -LFV v w m N h GENE... Em. w W,

8 NM NM UNITED s rains PATENT I orrren.

ALVAH W. BROWN AND HERMAN P. ERNST, OF GRAND RAPIDS, AND WILLIS O. CANOUTS, OF CRYSTAL, MICHIGAN, ASSIGN ORS TO DURFEE EMBALM- IN G FLUIDCOMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

CASKET-LOWERING DEVICE.

' No. 851,861. Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 2,1907. Serial No. 350,394.

Patented April 30, 1907.

To all whom, it nuw concern.-

Be it known that we, ALVAH W. BnowN, HERMAN P. ERNs'r, and nns O.CANOUTS, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at GrandRapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, at Grand Rapids, inthe said county of Kent, and at Crystal, in the county of Montcalm andState of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Casket-LoweringDevice, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in casket-lowering devices.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide a device having aframe that is adjustable as to length and breadth, and that can bequickly taken apart for packing or carrying; second, to provide a devicein which the side-members of the frame are angularly adjustable with theend-members, thus permitting of the device to be set upon irregularground, or the frame to assume an angular position, without interferingin any way with the operating mechanism; third, to provide an improvedbrake-mechanism that will be positive in its action under everycondition of load; and fourth, to provide a device in which theoperating mechanism will not lock or bind while being used.

Further objects, and objects relating to head end of the frame, taken onthe line a: a; of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of one of thecorner-structures at the head end of the frame, taken on the line .2 2of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the head endmem ber of theframe, taken on the line 8 s of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail ofone of the end corner-structures, taken on the line II II of Fig. 1.

In all of the drawings, all of the sectional views are taken looking inthe direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the sides and ends of the frameof our device, as shown in F 1, consist of several parts so unitedtogether as to permit of their telescopic adjustment thus giving aframethat can be adjusted transversely and longitudinally to lit anygrave-opening. The head-member of the frame consists of two members 4 4,one end of each being rigidly secured to the casing 8 of thecorner-structure of the frame, the other adjacent ends being united ythe sleeve 5. These members 4 4 are preferably made from sheet-metal andrectangular in cross-section in order to contain the compensatingmechanism to be described hereafter. The sleeve structural details, willmore definitely ap- 5, also constructed from sheet-metal, slips pearfrom the detailed description to follow. over the ends of the twomembers 4 4, per

7e accomplish the objects of our invenmitting them to be telescoped andadjusted, tion by the devices and means described in the said sleevebeing retained in position by the following specification.

the spring-catch 30. This spring-catch is se- The invention is clearlydefined and pomtcured to the top of the sleeve by the rivets ed out 1nthe cla1ms.

32 32, the pins 31 31. at each end of the A structure embodying thefeatures of spring-catch registering with the perfora our invention islllustrated 1n the accomtions 33 33 in the top of the members 4 4.panylng drawings, formmg a part of this Each of the corner-structures atthe headspecificatlon, 1n wluch end of the frame comprises a casing Sresting F lgure 1 1s a plan view of our device showupon a base 21. Tothis casing is secured ing the frame and cornerstructures. Fig. 2 oneend of the member as herembefore 1s a side view of one of the sides ofthe frame mentioned. In this casing is fitted the and thecornerstruetures at each end, showsleeve-bearing 12, having a cupshapedcaving how the frame adjusts itself to any irregity therein facing thefoot-end of the frame, ularity in the ground. Fig. 3 is an end view,

the bearing being retained and supported at partly in section, of thedevice taken on the each end in the casing by the balls 45 45. line 1 yof Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view IVithin this open portion of thebearlng 12, of part of one of the side-members taken on and pivoted atright angles thereto by the the line B B of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is asectional pivots 42 42, is the axis 41 which supports detail of one ofthe corner-structures at the the short tubular member 40 secured to thesaid axis by the pivot 43 (Figs. 5 and 6), the whole forming anuniversal joint. Mounted upon the said bearing, between the balls 45 45and within the casing 8, is the sprocketwheel 37. The end of the saidbearing 12 projects beyond the casing 8 forming a sort of hub, theprojecting part being provided with a series of sockets in which toinsert a bar for revolving the bearing. If desired, however, theprojecting part may be made separate and detachably secured to the faceof the bearing.

To regulate the lowering of the casket, we provide a brake-mechanism inconnection with each bearing at the head-end of the frame. The saidbrake mechanism consists of the disk 15, secured to one end of thethreaded spindle 15 which passes loosely through the end of the saidbearing and adapted to engage interiorly the end of the bearing, and thecap 12 loosely mounted upon the said spindle and exteriorly engaging theend of the said bearing, the said disk and cap being brought intofrictional engagement with the bearing by the nut 13. This nut, threadedupon the outer end of the spin dle and separated from the cap 12 by thewasher 14, is provided with sockets 16 in which to insert the bar 13(Fig. 2), whereby the nut may be screwed up on the spindle 15 and bringall the parts of this brakemechan ism into close engagement with thebearing. The cap 12 is prevented from turning with the bearing, when allthe parts are thus brought into close contact with each other, by thelug 17 on the outside top of the casing 8 engaging with the slottedprojection 18 on the said cap. To prevent rotation of the spindle andattached disk with the bearing, we employ a key 48 adapted to engage akeyseat in the said spindle and one in the cap 12. In order to avoidincreased friction between the parts of the brake-mechanism, a disk 46of leather, or some other suitable material, is introduced between thedisk 15 and the interior end of the bearing 12, and a disk 47 ofleather, or some other suitable material, is introduced between the faceof the cap 1.2 and the exterior end of the said bearing. By tighteningup the nut 13, any desired pressure may be exerted upon the bearing 12,so that its rotation will be under perfect control under any conditionof load. It is also apparent that each brake-mechanism is operableindependently of the other.

Each of the corner-structures at the footend of the frame are similar inconstruction to those at the head-end just described, if thebrake-mechanism and sprocket-wheel be removed. As shown in Fig. 8, eachconsists of the casing 9, the sleeve-bearing 12 with its cavity towardthe head-end of the frame retained and supported in said casing by theballs 45 45, and the universal joint consisting of the aXis 41 and theshort tubular member 40 secured thereto by the pivot 43.

The sides of the frame consist of two tubes 1 1 connected by an innerslidable tube 7. The two tubes 1 1 support the straps 10 10 connected attheir adjacent ends by the fastenings 34, the said straps being adaptedfor lowering the casket. The fastenings 34 are so constructed that theywill automatically become separated under the casket when it reaches theground, thus allowing the straps to be withdrawn. One end of each tube 1is contracted to form the thimble 11, adapted to slide upon the tubularmember 40. This thimble 11 is provided with a perforation to registerwith the spring-pressed key 19 in the end of the tubular member 40,while the end of the said thimble is slotted to engage the pin 20projecting upward from the said tubular member. The function of the pin20 is to prevent rotation of the member 40 within the thimble, while thespring-pressed key 19 will prevent the thimble from being withdrawn fromthe said member. The tube 7 is provided at each end with slots 28 28 inwhich fit the pins 27 27 passing down through the ends of the tubes 1 1.These pins, coming in contact with the slot-terminals, act as stopspreventing the Withdrawal of the tubes 1 from the tube 7. At each end ofthe tube 7 are the spring-pressed keys 22 22, adapted to register withthe perforations 23 23 in the tubes 1 1, thus retaining the said tube inplace when the tubes 1 1 are in separated position. By reason of thesespringpressed keys and the pins 27 27, the rotation of either of thetubes 1 will cause rotation of the other tubes making up theside-member, and hence the tubes 1, 1, and 7 may be considered, in anoperative sense, as one piece.

The same method of construction is used in the foot-end member of theframe as in the sides. As shown in Fig. 1, the foot-member comprises thetwo tubes 2 2 rigidly secured at their outer ends to the casings 9 9 ofthe corner-structures, the inner adjacent ends telescoping and slidingupon the tube 6. This tube 6 is also provided with slots 28 28 toreceive the pins 27 27 in the ends of the tubes 2 2, and with thespring-pressed keys 22 22 to register with the perforations 23 23 in thetubes 2 2.

Arranged within the head-member of the frame is the mechanism foroperating simultaneously the sprocket-wheels 37 37 in thecorner-structures at that end. This mechanism consists of an endlesschain 36 which passes over the sprocket-wheels 37 37 and also over theidler-wheels 38 38. These idler-wheels consist of a sprocket-wheelsecured to a hub loosely mounted u on a pivot projecting from the endsof the p ates 4 4, the said plates being attached oppositely to theinside faces of the members 4 4 and projecting into the other member.From the bottom of the sprocket-wheel in the righthand corner (Fig. 3),the chain runs to the bottom of the idler 38, pivoted to the plate 4which moves with the right-hand member 4, thence to the bottom of theidler 3S pivoted to the plate 4 which moves with the left hand member 4,thence over the sprocketwheel in the lefthand structure and back overthe idler 88 and under the idler 38 to the top of the first-namedsprocket-wheel in the right-hand corner-structure. By means of theseidler-wheels, the sprocket-wheels in the corner-structures can be keptin operative connection at all times through the medium of the chainwhile the head-member is being longitudinally-adjusted. As theheadmember is lengthened, the idler-wheels move toward each other in thesame ratio that the end sprocket-wheels move away from each other, andvice versa, thus keeping the chain taut at all times while theheadmember is longitudinally adjusted. More over, these idler-wheelsoperate as a compensating device for shortening or lengthening the chainas the head-member is thus adjusted.

When it is desired to use our device, the frame is adjusted to suit thegrave-opening and the casket. The straps are then united by thefastenings at their ends, and the sides rotated by turning one or bothof the bear ings at the head-end of the frame so as to bring the strapsin a horizontal position. The brake is then set, and the casket placedupon the straps. By loosening the nut 13, the lowering of the casket iskept under perfect control. When the casket has reached the bottom ofthe grave, the fastenings in the straps automatically unhook so that thestraps can be with-drawn.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a casket-lowering device, a frame comprising end and side members,the side members being connected to the end members by universal joints.

2. In a casket-lowering device, a frame comprising end members androtary side members, the said side members being angularly-adjustablewith said end members.

3. In a casket-lowering device, a frame comprisin end and side membersand cornerboxes, eac corner-box containing a bearing connected to theside member by a universal joint.

4. In a casket-lowering device, a frame comprising extensibleend-members havinga bearing in each end, and extensible sidemembers, theend of each side-member being connected to one of the said bearings by auniversal joint.

5. In a casket-lowering device, the combination of a frame, comprisingextensible endmembers having a bearing in each end, and extensiblerotary side-members, the end of each side-member being connected to oneof the said bearings by a universal joint; and driving-means foroperatively connecting the said side-members.

6. In a casketdowering device, the combination of a frame, comprisingextensible endmembers having a bearing in each end, and extensiblerotary side-members, the end of each side-member being connected to oneof the said bearings by a'universal oint; driving-means for operativelyconnecting the bearings at one end of the frame, and a brake-mechanismco-o crating with each bearing at said end, eac 1 brake-mechanism beingoperable independently.

7. In a casket-lowering device, the combination of a frame, comprisingend-members and side-members angularlyadjustable therewith; bearings inthe ends of said endmembers and connected to said side-members;driving-means, located in one of the end-members of the frame, andoperatively connecting the bearings at that end; and a brake-1necl1anismco-operating with one of the bearings at said end.

S. In a casket-lowering device, a rectangular end-member, formed in twoparts connected by a sleeve and arranged to telescope; corner-boxesrigidly secured to the ends of the said end-members anti-frictionbearings contained in said corner-boxes, each bearing supporting agear-wheel; an idler-wheel secured to each of the said parts of theendmember; a driving-chain operatively connecting said gear-wheels, saidchain passing over the said idler-wheels; and a brake mechanism in eachof the said cornerboxes to control the rotation of the said bearings,each brake-mechanism comprising a disk to interiorly engage saidbearing, a cap to exteriorly engage said bearing, and a nut to bringsaid disk and cap into frictional engagement with said bearing.

9. In a casket-lowering device, an adjustable end-member; corner-boxesat the ends of said end-members; bearings contained in saidcorner-boxes, each bearing supporting a gear-wheel; means forindependently rotating said bearings; idler-wheels secured to saidend-member; a driving-chain operatively connecting said gear-wheels,said chain passing over the said idler-wheels; and a brake mechanismcooperating with each bearing to control its rotation, eachbrake-mechanism comprising two disks brought into frictional engagementwith the said hearing by a nut.

10. In a casket-lowering device, an adjustable end-member; bearings ateach end of said member; means for independently rotating said bearings;driving-means for keeping said bearings operatively connected, saidmeans containing a compensating device; and a brakemechanismco-operating with each bearing to control its rotation, eachbrakemechanism consisting of two disks brought into frictionalengagement with the bearing by a nut.

11. In a casket-lowering device, the combination of rotary adjustableside-members; an adjustable head-member; bearings in the ends of saidhead-member and connected to the said side-members by universal joints;a gear-wheel supported by each of the said bearings; a driving-chainpassing over said gear-wheels and containing a compensating device forkeeping said gear-wheels operatively connected; and an adjustablefootmember having bearings at each end, said bearings being connected tothe sidemem bers by universal joints.

12. In a casket-lowering device, the combination of rotary adjustableside-members; an adjustable head-member; bearings in the ends of saidhead-member and connected to said side-members by universal joints meansfor independently operating said bearings; a gear-wheel supported byeach of said bearings; a driving-chain passing over said gearwheels andcontaining a compensating device for keeping said gear-wheelsoperatively connected; an adjustable foot-member having bearings in eachend, said bearings being connected to the side-members by universaljoints; and a brake co-operating with one of the said bearings in saidhead-member, said brake comprising two disks, one to interiorly engageand the other to eXt-eriorly engage said bearing, and means for bringingsaid disks into frictional engagement with said bearing.

13. In a casket-lowering device, the combination of an adjustable frame,comprising a head-member, a foot-member, side-members, and corner-boxesanti-friction bearings in said corner-boxes, each bearing beingconnected to a side-member by an universal joint; a gear-wheel securedto the bearing in each corner-box at the head-end of the frame; adriving-chain passing over said gear-wheels for operatively connectingsaid bearings; means for keeping said bearings in operative connectionas the head-member is adjusted; and a brake-mechanism co-operating witheach bearing in said head-member, each brake-mechanism being operableindependently and consisting of two disks brought into frictionalengagement with the bearing by a nut.

14. In a casket-lowering device, the combination of a frame, comprisingan adjustable head-member, an adjustable foot-member, adjustableside-members, and cornerboXes; a short tubular member connected to eachbearing by a universal joint, the said side-members being removablysecured to said tubular members and locked against rotation; agear-wheel secured to each ofthe bearings at the head-end of the frame;a driving-chain passing over the said gearwheels for operativelyconnecting said bearings; means for keeping said bearings in operativeconnection as the head-member is adj usted and a brake-mechanismco-operating with each bearing in said head-member, each brake-mechanismbeing operable independently and comprising two disks, one upon theinside, the other upon the outside of the bearing, brought intofrictional engagement with said bearing by a nut.

15. In a casket-lowering device, the combination oflongitudinally-adjustable endmembers of the frame; bearings in the endsof each end-member; a short tubular member connected to each bearin by auniversal joint; side-members of the l rame, carrying supporting strapsand removably secured to said tubular members and locked againstrotation; means for keeping the bearings operatively connected; andmeans for controlling the rotation of said bearings.

16. In a casket-lowering device, an extensible s1demember in the frame,comprising two outer tubes with perforations therein, a connectingmember having longitudinal slots slidable within the said outer tubes,keys in said connecting member to engage said perforations, a pin ineach of the adjacent ends of the outer tubes to engage said slots, andmeans for connecting the outer ends of said tubes with the ends of theframe.

ALVAI-I W. BROIVN. HERMAN P. ERNST. WILLIS O. CANOUTS.

Witnesses to the signatures of Alvah W. Brown and Herman P. Ernst:

F. BREWER, VViLLIAM TAR-DELL.

WVitnesses to the signature of Willis 0.-

Canouts:

G. E. BROWN, M. N. MASON.

